Vote On Jacobson`s Stalled A Bit Longer

March 14, 1992|By A.D. BURCH, Staff Writer

BOCA RATON -- Challengers debated its fate. Incumbents touted its benefits. And the Community Redevelopment Agency won`t vote on it -- not yet, at least.

The much ballyhooed deal to bring Jacobson`s department store to Mizner Park will not be addressed at the CRA`s meeting on Monday for two reasons: negotiations are not finished and the new City Council will not be sworn-in until March 31.

Esther Dance, a political novice, and incumbent Alan Alford were elected on Tuesday to two-year terms on the council. Dance will replace Albert Travasos.

``The decision on Jabobson`s should not be voted on by a lame duck council,`` said CRA chairman Steven Abrams. ``I just think it would be unfair to the voters. The negotiations are not finished anyway.``

A negotiation team appointed by the CRA in January is charged with putting together a deal between the city, Jacobson`s and Tom Crocker, developer of Mizner Park.

At issue is whether the City Council, acting as the CRA, will lease 10,000 square feet of public land on the south end of Mizner Park to build the upscale 80,000-square-foot department store. The problem is that land was reserved for culture.

Abrams said the major hurdles to be scaled are the perennial parking problem and the compensation the city would receive to offset the loss of a cultural site.

``I think it is close to being concluded,`` Crocker said.

Another side issue that could affect the Jacobson`s deal is an ordinance proposed by Mayor Emil Danciu that would make some CRA decisions subject to ratification by the council and a possible public referendum.

If the ordinance were passed, the Jacobson`s package could be subject to a referendum.

Danciu contends that his proposed ordinance would put the CRA decisions involving the sale, lease or conveyance of title of public land in compliance with an existing Florida statute.